Sensor Dust? Or something else?

[mrod]

I'm not sure if this is dust on the sensor or something else...here are two shots taken moments apart. Shot 1 has an disturbing spot (circled). Shot 2 does not.

On the other shots I took this evening, some had it, some didn't.

These are straight out of the camera:

Shot 1



Shot 2



I thought I remembered a discussion about testing to see if you had dust on the sensor, but wasn't able to find it this evening (probably because I'm tired). It would be nice to know for sure before I begin the daunting task of cleaning it for the first time...which makes me nervous.

Any insights?

Mike

[Codebreaker]

Mike it's difficult to tell from the shots. You can try this test.


1. Set your apperture to at least f22.
2. Point the camera at a plain light coloured surface - say a white wall - but don't focus on it.

If you have dust on your sensor you'll see the 'blobbies'.

Colin

[jo]

UFO -- taking pictures of you taking pictures...

Seriously, though, are the spots always the same shape and in the same place on the image? Or might this be a wisp of cloud on the dark side? I'd think that dust on the sensor would be in the same place on every shot and not sometimes there and sometimes not.

[Codebreaker]

Dust on the sensor isn't always visible. Its appearance varies in size with the aperture you use and if the shot contains a lot of detail it may not be noticeable. This is why you do a test against a plain background with small aperture.

Colin

[NickLewis]

Originally Posted by jo

I'd think that dust on the sensor would be in the same place on every shot and not sometimes there and sometimes not.

I do find their visibility changes depending on the background of the picture and the aperture in use.

Colin's test'll bring them out though - it's usually most depressing.....

Nick

[mrod]

Originally Posted by Codebreaker

Dust on the sensor isn't always visible. Its appearance varies in size with the aperture you use and if the shot contains a lot of detail it may not be noticeable. This is why you do a test against a plain background with small aperture.

Colin

This makes sense, based on yesterday's shoot. I was using several different apertures, and shooting against varying backdrops.

I'll do that test, Colin. Thanks.

Mike

[Whiplash-GT]

i see a couple of other odd spots. less distinct but visible..again first pic
small arcing line top left
also seems to be one at the waterline, left of center

are you using a filter? i get a few of these when i've worked near splashing water/in the rain and forget to clean my filters

[mrod]

OK. MAJOR dust on the sensor. So now. To clean. I've read Moose Peterson's tutorial article. I don't have one of those fancy (expensive!) brushes, but sounds like that's what I need?

Also, before I touch anything, I don't have the anatomy of the D80 down yet...when I flip the mirror up, is the sensor the greenish colored thing straight back from the lens opening?

Thanks, as I try to learn the ropes here...life is never boring, is it?

Mike

[Codebreaker]

Mike....

I bought the Arctic Butterfly and it worked extremely well. I never felt happy with the prospect of putting 'sticky tape' or fluids on the sensor.

Colin

[LeeOtsubo]

Originally Posted by mrod

OK. MAJOR dust on the sensor. So now. To clean. I've read Moose Peterson's tutorial article. I don't have one of those fancy (expensive!) brushes, but sounds like that's what I need?

Also, before I touch anything, I don't have the anatomy of the D80 down yet...when I flip the mirror up, is the sensor the greenish colored thing straight back from the lens opening?

Thanks, as I try to learn the ropes here...life is never boring, is it?

Mike

The sensor is behind the greenish colored thing (aka anti-aliasing filter). You never actually touch the sensor but scratching the AA filter may cause you to join AA.

The expensive brush thingy is overpriced. No less an authority than Artie Morris (www.birdsasart.com) recommends LensPen and a technique developed by one of his peers, PS guru Robert O'Toole. For US$23, he includes instructions on how to use the LensPen to clean a sensor. I'd buy one but I've got my Eclipse fluid and PecPad routine down to a science.